Expandable Sockets For Use With Portable Media Players

ABSTRACT

An expandable socket for attachment to a portable media player or a portable media player case. The expandable socket generally includes a platform, a button spaced from the platform, and a collapsible mechanism coupled to the platform and the button. The platform is adapted to engage a portion of the portable media player or the portable media player case. The collapsible mechanism includes a plurality of discrete sections movable relative to one another to move the expandable socket between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/679,934, filed Aug. 17, 2017, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C.§119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/376,237, filed Aug. 17,2016, and is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/615,900filed Jun. 7, 2017, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) toU.S. Provisional Application No. 62/376,237. The entire respectivedisclosures of each of the above-identified applications areincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to expandable sockets and moreparticularly to expandable sockets, which may also be referred to ascollapsible sockets, that can be attached to portable media players(e.g., smart phones, MP3 players) or portable media player cases andused as grips, stands, or for other purposes.

BACKGROUND

U.S. Pat. No. 8,560,031, which issued Oct. 15, 2013, and is herebyincorporated herein by reference, discloses extending sockets, formed ofaccordions generally with buttons attached at their distal ends, forattaching to portable media players or portable media player cases. Thesockets are used to wrap cords, as grips or stands, and to attach theplayer to another object.

However, a need remains in the art for other designs of collapsiblegrips and stands.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a side isometric, cutaway view of a first example of anexpandable socket constructed in accordance with the teachings of thepresent invention, showing the socket in an expanded configuration;

FIG. 1B is a side, cross-sectional view of FIG. 1A, showing the socketin a collapsed configuration;

FIG. 1C is a top, cutaway view of a second example of an expandablesocket constructed in accordance with the teachings of the presentinvention, showing the socket in a collapsed configuration;

FIG. 2 is a side, cross-sectional view of a third example of anexpandable socket constructed in accordance with the teachings of thepresent invention, showing the socket in an expanded configuration;

FIG. 3A is a side, cross-sectional view of a fourth example of anexpandable socket constructed in accordance with the teachings of thepresent invention, showing the socket in a collapsed configuration;

FIG. 3B is similar to FIG. 3A, but shows the socket in an expandedconfiguration; and

FIG. 3C is a side-by-side, perspective view of the socket of FIG. 3A andthe socket of FIG. 3B.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the present invention provides an expandable socket forattachment to a portable media player or a portable media player case.The expandable socket includes a base adapted to engage a portion of theportable media player or the portable media player case, a cover coupledto the base, wherein the cover is movable between a collapsed positionand an expanded position, a button coupled to the cover opposite thebase, and a spring arranged within the cover between the base and thebutton.

Another aspect of the present invention provides an expandable socketfor attachment to a portable media player or a portable media playercase. The expandable socket includes a base adapted to engage a portionof the portable media player or the portable media player case, a buttonthat is spaced from and movable relative to the base, and a springdisposed between the base and the button, the spring arranged to resistmovement of the button toward the base.

Another aspect of the present invention provides an expandable socketfor attachment to a portable media player or a portable media playercase. The expandable socket includes a base adapted to engage a portionof the portable media player or the portable media player case, anelastomeric skin coupled to the base and having a hollow shape, the skinincluding at least one folded section and being deformable between acollapsed position and an expanded position, a button coupled to theskin opposite the base, the button being disposed a first distance fromthe base when the skin occupies the collapsed position and a seconddistance greater than the first distance from the base when the skinoccupies the expanded position, and a spring arranged within the skinbetween the base and the button, the spring configured to resistmovement of the skin from the expanded configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a first example of one example of anexpandable socket 100 constructed in accordance with the teachings ofthe present invention. The expandable socket 100 in this exampleincludes a button 104, a base 106, e.g., a platform, and a collapsibleor expandable mechanism 102 coupled to and extending between the button104 and the base 106. While removed from FIGS. 1A and 1B for clarity,the expandable socket 100 also includes a deformable cover (e.g., acover as illustrated in FIG. 2) that is coupled to the button 104 and/orthe base 106 in a manner that surrounds and houses (e.g., protects) thecollapsible mechanism for safety and comfort. In other examples, theexpandable socket 100 can include additional, different, and/or fewercomponents. As an example, the expandable socket 100 need not includethe cover.

As best illustrated in FIG. 1A, the base 106 in this example has anannular shape. In other examples, however, the base 106 may instead havea rectangular, square, triangular, or other shape. The base 106 ispreferably made of metal or plastic, though other suitable materials(e.g., cardboard) can be used. In any case, the base 106 is generallyconfigured to be directly or indirectly coupled (e.g., attached,mounted) to a portable media player (e.g., an MP3 player, a smart phone,a tablet) or a case of such a portable media player. To this end, thebase 106 can, in some cases, include a securing element known to one ofordinary skill in the art, such as, for example, adhesive, glue, tape, asuction cup, a snap-fit connection, a friction fit, other means, orcombinations thereof. Alternatively, in other cases, the base 106 can beintegrally formed with the portable media player or the case for theportable media player.

As best illustrated in FIG. 1A, the button 104 in this example has anannular shape. In other examples, however, the button 104 may have arectangular, square, triangular, irregular, or other shape. The button104 in this example also has an outer diameter that is larger than anouter diameter of the base 106, though this need not be the case. Likethe base 106, the button 104 is preferably made of metal or plastic,though other suitable materials can be used. The button 104 has an outerside 110 that may, for example, include a design (including, e.g., alogo, text, graphics, a picture). In some cases, the design may beselected by a user of the expandable socket 100.

The collapsible or expandable mechanism 102 is generally configured tofacilitate movement of the expandable socket 100 between an expandedconfiguration, illustrated in FIG. 1A, and a collapsed configuration,illustrated in FIG. 1B, and to retain the expandable socket 100 in thedesired configuration (expanded or collapsed). In this example, themechanism 102 takes the form of two, thin strip springs 112 arrangedwithin the cover (not shown), with each spring 112 having a first end114 coupled (e.g., mounted) to an inner side 116, i.e., an underside, ofthe button 104, and a second end 118 coupled (e.g., mounted) to an innerside 120 of the platform 106. The first end 114 of the each strip 112 ispreferably coupled to the inner side 116 of the button 104 at orproximate to a perimeter edge 122 of the button 104, and the second end118 of each strip 112 is preferably coupled to the inner side 116 of theplatform 106 at or proximate to a center 123 of the platform 106. Thefirst end 114 of each spring 112 may be removably coupled to the button104, fixedly coupled to the button 104, or integrally formed with thebutton 104. Likewise, the second end 118 of each spring 112 may beremovably coupled to the platform 106, fixedly coupled to the platform106, or integrally formed with the platform 106.

In one example, the strips 112 are fabricated from spring steel orcomparable metal. In another example, the strips 112 are produced from astiff, flexible polymer. In any case, the strips 112 are preferablyformed such that they are bistable, i.e., they each have two stablestates in which they resist movement (at least initially), with one ofthe stable states being the expanded state shown in FIG. 1A, whichcorresponds to the expanded configuration of the expandable socket 100,and the other of the stable states being the collapsed state shown inFIG. 1B, which corresponds to the collapsed configuration of theexpandable socket 100. Thus, when the strips 112 are in the expandedstate shown in FIG. 1A, the strips 112 maintain (e.g., bias) theexpandable socket 100 in the expanded configuration, and when the strips112 are in the collapsed state shown in FIG. 1B, the strips 112 maintain(e.g., bias) the expandable socket 100 in the collapsed configuration.

In operation, the expandable socket 100 may be transitioned between thetwo configurations by manipulating the mechanism 102 between the twostable states. The mechanism 102 may be manipulated by grabbing orgrasping the button 104 and rotating the button 104 about a longitudinalaxis 124, which will in turn rotate the mechanism 102 coupled theretoabout the same longitudinal axis 124, and/or grabbing or grasping thecover (not shown), which carries the mechanism 102, and rotating thecover about the longitudinal axis 124. The strips 112 will, in turn,rotate about the longitudinal axis 124, with the exact direction ofrotation dependent upon whether the expandable socket 100 is being movedto the expanded configuration of FIG. 1A or the collapsed configurationof FIG. 1B. When, for example, the expandable socket 100 is moved fromthe expanded configuration of FIG. 1A to the collapsed configuration ofFIG. 1B, the button 104 and the strips 112 will rotate in a firstrotational direction (e.g., a counter-clockwise direction) about thelongitudinal axis 124, thereby moving the button 104, the strips 112,and the cover toward the platform 106 along the longitudinal axis 124 ina first axial direction, and substantially reducing the profile of theexpandable socket 100. Conversely, when the expandable socket 100 ismoved from the collapsed configuration of FIG. 1B to the expandedconfiguration of FIG. 1A, the button 104, the strips 112, and the coverwill rotate in a second direction, opposite the first direction, aboutthe longitudinal axis 124, thereby moving the button 104, the strips112, and the cover away from the platform 106 along the longitudinalaxis 124 in a second axial direction opposite the first axial direction.Thus, the button 104 is spaced from the platform 106 so as to permit theuser of the expandable socket 100 to wrap a headphone cord of theportable media player around a portion of the expandable socket 100,forming an adjustable stand for the portable media player, forming agrip for the portable media player, and/or to perform other desiredfunctionality.

FIG. 1C illustrates a second example an expandable socket 150constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.The expandable socket 150 is substantially similar to the expandablesocket 100, in that it also includes the button 104, the platform 106,and the mechanism 102. However, in the expandable socket 150, the strips112 are wrapped in the opposite direction from their path in theexpandable socket 100. Thus, the expandable socket 150 may generally betransitioned between a collapsed configuration, shown in FIG. 1C, and anexpanded configuration, not shown, by rotating the button 104 and/or thecover in a direction opposite how the button 104 and/or the cover arerotated in the expandable socket 100.

FIG. 2 illustrates a third example of an expandable socket 200constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.The expandable socket 200 generally includes a button 204, a base 206, acollapsible or expandable mechanism 202 coupled to and extending betweenthe button 204 and the base 206, a deformable cover 212 that is coupledto the button 204 and/or the base 206 in a manner that surrounds andhouses the collapsible mechanism 202 for safety and comfort, and a lock214 configured to releasably secure the expandable socket 200 in acollapsed configuration that is not shown but is consistent with thecollapsed configuration of the expandable socket 100 described above. Inother examples, the expandable socket 200 may include additional, fewer,or different components. As an example, the expandable socket 200 maynot include the cover 212.

The cover 212 is generally coupled to and disposed between the button204 and the base 206. The cover 212 preferably takes the form of anelastomeric skin (made of an elastomeric material) that includes aplurality of folding sections 214 connected to one another between thebutton 204 and the base 206. In some examples, such as illustrated inFIG. 2, the plurality of folding sections 214 are arranged so as to formor a define a tapered conical shape that looks like an accordion. Thus,in these examples, the cover 212 has an outer diameter that tapers fromthe button 204 to the base 206 (though the opposite is possible aswell). In other examples, the plurality of folding sections 214 may bearranged to form a different shape or the cover 212 may only include onefolding section 214.

Like the collapsible mechanism 102, the collapsible mechanism 202generally facilitates movement of the expandable socket 200 between anexpanded configuration, illustrated in FIG. 2, and the collapsedconfiguration, not shown, and to retain the expandable socket 200 in thedesired configuration (expanded or collapsed). However, the collapsiblemechanism 202 in this example takes the form of a coil spring 218 (e.g.,made of, for example, metal or plastic) that is arranged within thecover 212 between the button 204 and the base 206, such that the cover212 surrounds and houses (e.g., protects) the coil spring 218. Moreparticularly, the coil spring 218 has a first end 220 that is seatedagainst the inner side 116 of the button 204 and a second end 222,opposite the first end 220, that is seated against the inner side 120 ofthe base 206. The coil spring 218 illustrated in FIG. 2 has a shape thatsubstantially corresponds to the shape of the cover 212. In other words,the coil spring 218 illustrated in FIG. 2 has a conical or taperedshape, such that the first end 220 has an outer diameter that is largerthan an outer diameter of the second end 222.

The button 204 in this example is similar to the button 104 describedabove, with common components referred to using common referencenumerals. However, unlike the button 104, the button 204 also includes afirst projection 210 that is carried by the and extends axially inwardof and from the inner side 116 of the button 204. The base 206 in thisexample is likewise similar to the base 206 described above, with commoncomponents referred to using common reference numerals. However, unlikethe base 106, the base 206 also includes a pair of second projections208 that are carried by the inner side 120 of the base 206. Theprojections 208 extend axially inward from the inner side 120 of thebase 206 before extending radially inward, thereby defining a recess 216sized to receive the first projection 210.

As will be appreciated from FIG. 2, the coil spring 218 is arranged tobias the expandable socket 200 to its expanded configuration. Moreparticularly, the coil spring 218 is arranged to bias the button 204 andthe cover 212 away from the base 206 and to the positions shown in FIG.2, which correspond to the expanded configuration of the expandablesocket 200. Thus, the coil spring 218 may also be referred to herein asthe biasing element 218. In any case, when the expandable socket 200 isin the expanded configuration, the button 204 is spaced from theplatform 206 so as to permit the user of the expandable socket 200 towrap a headphone cord of the portable media player around a portion ofthe expandable socket 200, forming an adjustable stand for the portablemedia player, forming a grip for the portable media player, and/or toperform other desired functionality.

The expandable socket 200 may be moved from this expanded configurationto the collapsed configuration by overcoming the biasing force appliedby the coil spring 218. Generally speaking, the user of the expandablesocket 200 may accomplish this by grabbing or grasping the button 204and/or the cover 212 and moving (e.g., pushing) the button 204 and thecover 212 toward the platform 206 along a longitudinal axis 224. As thebutton 204 and the cover 212 are moved toward the platform 206 in thismanner, the plurality of folding sections 214 fold onto one another andthe button 204, the cover 212, and the coil spring 218 may rotate aboutthe longitudinal axis 224.

As will also be appreciated from FIG. 2, the recess 216 is arranged toreceive and retain the first projection 210 when the expandable socket200 is moved to the collapsed configuration such that the button 204 ismoved toward and into close proximity with the base 206. As thishappens, the first projection 210 is moved past the second projections208 and into the recess 216, at which time the second projections 208engage the first projection 210 (and vice-versa). By virtue of the shapeand size of the first projection 210 and the second projections 208, thefirst projection 210 is securely retained in the recess 216. In thismanner, the first projection 210, the second projections 208, and therecess 216 define or form the lock 214 that locks the expandable socket200 in the collapsed configuration.

One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the firstprojection 210 and the second projections 208 can be reversed and yetstill interact to help lock the Popsocket 200 in the collapsedconfiguration. More particularly, the first projection 210 can becarried by the base 206 and the second projections 208 (which define therecess 216) can be carried by the button 204.

The user of the expandable socket 200 may move the expandable socket 200from the collapsed configuration to the expanded configuration byreleasing the lock 214. Generally speaking, the user may release thelock 214 by grabbing or grasping and rotating the button 204 and/or thecover 212 about the longitudinal axis 224, which therefore rotates firstprojection 210 out of engagement with the second projections 208 and outof the recess 216. Once the lock 214 has been released, the biasingforce of the coil spring 218 drives the button 204 and the cover 212outward, away from the base 206, until the button 204 and the cover 212reach the expanded configuration.

FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate a fourth example of an expandable socket 300constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.The expandable socket 300 is similar to the expandable socket 200 inthat it includes a button 304, a base 306, a collapsible or expandablemechanism 302 coupled to and extending between the button 304 and thebase 306, and a lock configured to releasably secure the expandablesocket 300 in an expanded configuration (shown in FIG. 3B), but isdifferent from the expandable socket 200 in the manner described below.In other examples, the expandable socket 300 may include additional,fewer, or different components. As an example, the expandable socket 300may also include a deformable cover such as the cover 212.

As with the collapsible mechanism 102 and the collapsible mechanism 202,the collapsible mechanism 302 generally facilitates movement of theexpandable socket 300 between a collapsed configuration, shown in FIG.3A, and the expanded configuration shown in FIG. 3B. However, thecollapsible mechanism 302 in this example takes the form of a pluralityof concentric rings 322 arranged between the button 304 and the base306. In this example, the collapsible mechanism 302 includes threeconcentric rings 322A, 322B, and 322C each having a substantiallywedge-shaped cross-section, though in other examples, more or lessconcentric rings may be employed and/or the concentric rings may have adifferent shape. In any case, the concentric rings 322 are movablerelative one another along a longitudinal axis 324 as the expandablesocket 300 moves between the collapsed and expanded configurations.Moreover, as illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the concentric ring 322B ismovable within the concentric ring 322A and the concentric ring 322C ismovable within the concentric ring 322B (and, in turn, the ring 322A) asthe expandable socket 300 moves between the collapsed and expandedconfigurations.

The button 304 in this example is similar to the button 104 describedabove, with common components referred to using common referencenumerals. However, unlike the button 104, the button 304 also includes afirst, annular projection 308 that is carried by and extends axiallyinward of and from the inner side 116 of the button 304 at or proximateto a perimeter edge 320 of the button 304. The projection 308 in thisexample has an inner surface 314 that curves radially inward as theprojection 308 extends away from the button 304. The inner surface 314is therefore arranged to interface with an outermost one of theconcentric rings 322 (the concentric ring 322A in this example) to helpmaintain the concentric rings 322 in the proper position between thebutton 304 and the base 306.

The base 306 in this example is similar to the base 106 described above,with common components referred to using common reference numerals.However, unlike the base 106, the base 306 includes a second, annularprojection 310 that is carried by and extends axially inward of and fromthe inner side 120 of the base 106. The second projection 310 isdisposed radially inward of both the first projection 308 and theconcentric rings 322. In other words, the second projection 310 isnested within the first projection 308 and the concentric rings 322. Thesecond projection 310 has an outer surface 312 that tapers as theprojection 310 extends away from the base 306. A detent 313 is formed ator proximate to an end of the outer surface 312. The detent 313 is thusarranged to interface with an innermost one of the concentric rings 322(the concentric ring 322C in this example) to help maintain theconcentric rings 322 in the proper position between the button 304 andthe base 306. In some examples, such as the one illustrated in FIGS. 3Aand 3B, the innermost concentric ring 322 (322C in this example) mayalso include a groove that is sized to receive and interferingly engagethe detent 313 in order to further help maintain the concentric rings322 in the proper position.

In operation, the expandable socket 300 may be transitioned between theexpanded and collapsed configurations by manipulating the button 304and/or the mechanism 302. More particularly, the user of the expandablesocket 300 may move the expandable socket 300 from the collapsedconfiguration (FIG. 3A) to the expanded configuration (FIG. 3B) by, forexample, grabbing or grasping the button 304 and moving (e.g., pulling)the button 304 upward, away from the base 306, along the longitudinalaxis 324. As briefly mentioned above, the expandable socket 300 includesa lock that may in turn lock, or securely retain, the expandable socket300 in this expanded configuration. In this example, the lock is afriction-based lock that is defined by the detent 313 and the innersurface 315, which not only help to maintain the concentric rings 322 inthe proper position between the button 304 and the base 306, but alsorespectively frictionally engage the innermost and outermost of theconcentric rings 322 (322C and 322A, respectively, in this example) whenthe expandable socket 300 is in the expanded configuration In thisexample, the concentric rings 322 are also shaped so as to frictionallyengage one or both adjacent concentric rings 322 when the expandablesocket 300 is in the expanded configuration, thereby helping to lock theexpandable socket 300 in the expanded configuration. The user of theexpandable socket 300 may release or disengage these locking features,and move the expandable socket 300 from the expanded configuration tothe collapsed configuration, by, for example, moving (e.g., pushing,pressing) the button 304 downward, toward the base 306, along thelongitudinal axis 324. As the expandable socket 300 is moved from theexpanded configuration to the collapsed configuration, the concentricrings 322 nest within one another, with the innermost ring 322 nestingwithin the next innermost ring 322 and so on, until the projection 310is positioned immediately adjacent or in contact with the inner side 116of the button 304.

1. An expandable socket for attachment to a portable media player or aportable media player case, the expandable socket comprising: a platformadapted to engage a portion of the portable media player or the portablemedia player case; a button that is spaced from the platform; acollapsible mechanism coupled to the platform and the button, thecollapsible mechanism movable between a collapsed configuration to anexpanded configuration, the collapsible mechanism including a pluralityof at least partially coaxial rings that move relative to one another asthe collapsible mechanism is moved from the expanded configuration tothe collapsed configuration, wherein the plurality of at least partiallycoaxial rings are substantially concentrically arranged when thecollapsible mechanism is in the collapsed configuration; a firstprojection carried by the platform and arranged to engage a portion of afirst one of the partially coaxial rings to releasably secure theplatform to the collapsible mechanism; and a second projection carriedby the button and arranged to engage a portion of a second one of thepartially coaxial rings to releasably secure the button to thecollapsible mechanism.
 2. An expandable socket for attachment to aportable media player or a portable media player case, the expandablesocket comprising: a platform adapted to engage a portion of theportable media player or the portable media player case; a button thatis spaced from the platform; a collapsible mechanism coupled to theplatform and the button, the collapsible mechanism including a pluralityof discrete sections movable relative to one another to move theexpandable socket between a collapsed configuration and an expandedconfiguration.
 3. The expandable socket of claim 2, wherein thecollapsible mechanism has an outer diameter that tapers as thecollapsible mechanism extends away from the button and toward theplatform.
 4. The expandable socket of claim 2, wherein the plurality ofdiscrete sections comprises a plurality of at least partially coaxialrings, and wherein the coaxial rings are substantially concentricallyarranged when the expandable socket is in the collapsed configuration.5. The expandable socket of claim 2, wherein the plurality of discretesections are movable relative to one another along a longitudinal axis.6. The expandable socket of claim 2, further comprising a firstprojection carried by the button and configured to engage a firstportion of the collapsible mechanism, wherein the plurality of discretesections is disposed radially inward of an outer surface of the firstprojection.
 7. The expandable socket of claim 6, wherein the firstprojection extends axially inward from an inner side of the button alonga longitudinal axis.
 8. The expandable socket of claim 6, wherein thefirst projection has an inner surface that curves radially inward as theprojection extends inward, away from the button.
 9. The expandablesocket of claim 6, further comprising a second projection carried by theplatform and configured to engage a second portion of the collapsiblemechanism, wherein the plurality of discrete sections is disposedradially outward of an inner surface of the second projection.
 10. Theexpandable socket of claim 9, wherein the platform comprises an inwardlyextending annular wall that defines the second projection.
 11. Theexpandable socket of claim 9, wherein the second projection extendsaxially inward from an inner side of the platform along a longitudinalaxis.
 12. The expandable socket of claim 9, wherein the secondprojection has an outer surface and a detent is formed proximate to anend of the outer surface, the detent configured to engage the secondportion of the collapsible mechanism.
 13. The expandable socket of claim9, wherein the second projection is positioned immediately adjacent aninner side of the button when the extendable socket is in the collapsedconfiguration.
 14. The expandable socket of claim 2, further comprisinga lock configured to releasably secure the expandable socket in theexpanded configuration.
 15. An expandable socket for attachment to aportable media player or a portable media player case, the expandablesocket comprising: a platform adapted to engage a portion of theportable media player or the portable media player case; a button thatis spaced from the platform; a collapsible mechanism coupled to theplatform and the button, the collapsible mechanism movable between acollapsed configuration to an expanded configuration, the collapsiblemechanism including a plurality of at least partially coaxial rings thattelescope within one another as the collapsible mechanism moves from theexpanded configuration to the collapsed configuration.
 16. Theexpandable socket of claim 15, wherein the collapsible mechanism has anouter diameter that tapers as the collapsible mechanism extends awayfrom the button and toward the platform.
 17. The expandable socket ofclaim 15, further comprising a first projection carried by the buttonand configured to engage a first portion of the collapsible mechanism,wherein the plurality of at least partially coaxial rings is disposedradially inward of an outer surface of the first projection.
 18. Theexpandable socket of claim 17, wherein the first projection extendsaxially inward from an inner side of the button along a longitudinalaxis.
 19. The expandable socket of claim 17, wherein the firstprojection has an inner surface that curves radially inward as theprojection extends inward, away from the button.
 20. The expandablesocket of claim 17, further comprising a second projection carried bythe platform and configured to engage a second portion of thecollapsible mechanism, wherein the plurality of at least partiallycoaxial rings is disposed radially outward of an inner surface of thesecond projection.
 21. The expandable socket of claim 20, wherein thesecond projection extends axially inward from an inner side of theplatform along a longitudinal axis.
 22. The expandable socket of claim20, wherein the second projection has an outer surface and a detent isformed proximate to an end of the outer surface, the detent configuredto engage the second portion of the collapsible mechanism.
 23. Theexpandable socket of claim 20, wherein the second projection ispositioned immediately adjacent an inner side of the button when theextendable socket is in the collapsed configuration.
 24. The extendablesocket of claim 15, wherein the collapsible mechanism is movable betweenthe expanded configuration and the collapsible configuration responsiveto a user directly applying a force on the button.
 25. An expandablesocket for attachment to a portable media player or a portable mediaplayer case, the expandable socket comprising: a platform adapted toengage a portion of the portable media player or the portable mediaplayer case; a button that is spaced from the platform; a collapsiblemechanism coupled to the platform and the button, the collapsiblemechanism movable between a collapsed configuration and an expandedconfiguration, the collapsible mechanism including a plurality of atleast partially coaxial rings that telescope within one another as thecollapsible mechanism is moved from the expanded configuration to thecollapsed configuration, wherein each of the rings frictionally engagesat least one other ring of the plurality of at least partially coaxialrings to releasably lock the collapsible mechanism in the expandedconfiguration.
 26. The expandable socket of claim 25, wherein thecollapsible mechanism has an outer diameter that tapers as thecollapsible mechanism extends away from the button and toward theplatform.
 27. The expandable socket of claim 25, further comprising afirst projection carried by the button and configured to engage a firstportion of the collapsible mechanism, and a second projection carried bythe platform and configured to engage a second portion of thecollapsible mechanism, wherein the plurality of at least partiallycoaxial rings is disposed radially inward of an outer surface of thefirst projection and radially outward of an inner surface of the secondprojection.
 28. The expandable socket of claim 27, wherein the firstprojection extends axially inward from an inner side of the button alonga longitudinal axis, and wherein the second projection extends axiallyinward from an inner side of the platform along the longitudinal axis.29. The expandable socket of claim 28, wherein the first projection hasan inner surface that curves radially inward as the projection extendsinward, away from the button.
 30. The expandable socket of claim 28,wherein the second projection has an outer surface and a detent isformed proximate to an end of the outer surface, the detent configuredto engage the second portion of the collapsible mechanism, and whereinthe second projection is positioned immediately adjacent the inner sideof the button when the extendable socket is in the collapsedconfiguration.